Would you hunt a horse that you hadn't...

[BIrish]

Ever had a gallop on previously or jumped more than one or two small things on ?

My hacking friend wants to hunt her horse (her first horse, her & his first hunt) but she has never had more than a little controlled canter on him in the field and popped one or two small fences.. I think she'd be ok (horse is a lovely cob)

Would you hunt a horse in these circs ?

BTW - there is no real non-jumping options with us..

 

[RunToEarth]

Depends how confident and competant she is. How much does your hunt get in the way on fences? I wouldn't take something hunting if I didn't know it could jump the height if there wasn't a non jumping option. Perhaps she should take him xc schooling first, open him up a bit, see what he is like at a gallop and jumping wise, and then she will know what to expect, rather than goiong straight for the kill, or you could take her to a newcomers meet?

 

[Joss]

Yes I would. I am going to hunt something I have never ridden before on Saturday!

But if she is a little nervous & that is why she hasnt done much on her horse then I wouldnt recommend going straight out hunting she might terrify herself for life!!

 

[Hels_Bels]

I have done, been hunting on a horse i'd only ever ridden down to the field. Went out, jumped everything and had the best time ever!

 

[seche]

Yes! How do you think people get on with Hirelings otherwise!!?

 

[RunToEarth]

I have got on horses at meets before that I have never ridden, but that is a totally different thing- I knew it would jump whatever was put infront of it, as you would expect of a hireling. But this horse hasn't hunted before, and she doesn't know what it is capable of jumping..

 

[seche]

I think most horses when their bloods up are capable of jumping most things, that said are you talking hunt post and rails, or stone walls, banks and hedges?

Ive hunted a young 5 yr old out with a drag pack, id never sat on it before, jumped hedges, gates etc. Went hard and fast for 1/2 day, then like most babies had a power cut.

I find with hunting, even on difficult horses, where there is a will, there is a way!

 

[michaelj]

Were thinking of taking bob hunting one day
Although we will be going to the local ones not boxing him anywhere atm!

 

[Ziggy_]

Given that she has no idea a) how well he can jump b) what his brakes are like when he gets going or c) what his brakes are going to be like in company I'd say it was a bad idea, especially seeing as neither her or the horse has hunted before.

I don't hunt BTW, although I want to, and I would certainly want to know my horse a bit better than the rider in your OP appears to before taking her out.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Not knowing what the horse is like hunting is just the same as taking a horse that has never been before. I've taken tons and tons of horses hunting that I've never ridden before and been fine.

The best way to find out is to go and if horse is awful take it home!!

 

[JenHunt]

I have and would again -I have in the past got on a horse at the meet that i'd not even seen before, that the owner hadn't even taken anywhere before...

but that's me - would agree it depend how confident you are.

 

[sarahgallagher]

hey i had done this on serveral occasions, and never had any bad expiriences...maybe i'm just lucky! But then our hunt doesn't really do much jumping apart from the odd ditch!. I think it definatly depends on the rider, i usually feel if something isn't quite right. Anyways she could always come home if things didn't work out, i'm sure she would be fine though with many expirienced hunting people around!